Two men jailed over Plymouth 'bottom touch' killing

Cowin Fuoco-Fisher and James Caswell were jailed at Plymouth Crown Court

Two men who kicked and punched a 50-year-old to death for slapping the bottom of a young woman in Plymouth have been jailed.

Stefan Shotton was attacked by Cowin Fuoco-Fisher and James Caswell outside a pub in Stoke Village on 28 May 2023.

Mr Shotton died on 6 June in Derriford Hospital after sustaining "catastrophic injuries", police said.

Fuoco-Fisher was jailed for life for murder, while Caswell was sentenced to eight years for manslaughter.

Both men were sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court on Friday, with Mr Fisher to serve a minimum of 16 years.

Fuoco-Fisher, 25, of Stuart Road, and Caswell, 28, of Tailyour Road, both Plymouth, had denied murder.

Mr Shotton died on 6 June in Derriford Hospital after sustaining "catastrophic injuries"

Judge Robert Linford said Fuoco-Fisher's girlfriend, who was touched by Mr Shotton, was "shocked and understandably concerned" about the slap but Fuoco-Fisher was "enraged".

He said Caswell had a "short fuse" and was "added muscle" in the joint attack which was "utterly appalling and needless violence" but he accepted that neither intended the father-of-four to die.

Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court Mr Shotton was the victim of a "determined and severe beating" and was "killed in what was a brutal and unlawful attack".

The fatal assault happened at about 01:00 BST and Mr Shotton's life support was switched off nine days later.

Det Insp Rob Smith said he "welcomed the verdict from the jury".

He said: "This senseless attack has not only resulted in the tragic death of Stefan but has caused absolute devastation to the lives of his close friends and family.

"I would like to pay tribute to Stefan's family who have shown great strength throughout the trial process, and I thank them for the support they have given to the police."